First, there's a limited number of episodes. As of right now, this particular show has only 8 episodes. The winner is without a doubt going to have well over that number of viewings, probably even 30+.

This method gives no credit to episodes we've already watched (which is acceptable), but further forces rewatching many times over. For people taking a realistic approach, many of us probably watch a show only once. If there is any rewatching, it's usually after it's complete, or after 50+ episodes if it gets long.

In highlighting that it isn't realistic to rewatch a series many times over in a short period of time, when the focus is on quantity of episodes watched (like the badge contests too), it is more realistic for a person to use a tool. There are plenty of ways to macro clicking the links of the various episodes, so that they can be "watched" without being watched. I assume at least a winner or two of these contests actually had a lot of time to spend away on these contests, but I can't imagine all of them have achieved legitimate wins.

I personally would like to see a per-episode quiz of sorts, or maybe some counting contest. Though you'd have to drastically randomize the questions people would receive, or answers would be immediately shared. This requires actually paying attention to episodes, and gives you a chance at the contest if you've already watched the episodes and have it well memorized.

If you can't find a solution that overcomes all the listed problems, then just stick with mass-entry contests entered by watching the latest episode. People that haven't watched the series may still watch the full series up to the episode in question. And if they don't, and just watch the episode of the contest and not the rest, they're still not taking away much from those who actually care for the show as a fair and large number of people are already entered and have equal chance.

As much as I'd like to enter this contest, I cannot possibly waste enough time to catch up to the winners. I eagerly await the next episode in 2 days and 13 hours from now.

TerraGamerXwrote:
As much as I'd like to enter this contest, I cannot possibly waste enough time to catch up to the winners. I eagerly await the next episode in 2 days and 13 hours from now.

Took the words right out of my mouth (and I'm new here, too)
Personally I'm trying to do this legit as I can, and like you say there are people out there that can sit at their computers from Wednesday straight on through to Monday who will blow us away. (Can't say I envy them) I on the other hand had Thanksgiving and Black Friday activities to attend to, and I had a good holiday away from this.

Weird though, sometimes the tickets don't come at the end of each episode, there's some kind of delay. Haven't figured out how exactly it works yet.